The Maha-Lakshmi Sutra
The Maha-Lakshmi Sutra
In the Indian Language Sanskrit: Mahashri Sutra or Mahalakshmini Sutra
In the Tibetan Language: Pälchhenmo’i Do dpal chen mo’i mdo
In the English Language: The Maha-Lakshmi Sutra
Homage To All The Buddhas And Bodhisattvas!
Thus have I heard: at one time, the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror was abiding in Sukhavati, the Land of Bliss.
Then, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Noble Lord Avalokiteshvara, went to the place where the Blessed One was, and having gone there, he fully prostrated at the feet of the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror, and, circumambulating the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror three times, he sat down to one side.
Then, the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror gazed at Maha-Lakshmi, and spoke the following words to the Noble Lord Avalokiteshvara:
“If any Monk, nun, layman, laywoman, or anyone else comes to know, keep, read, write out, or have others write out the Twelve Names ofMaha-Lakshmi, then their poverty will be eliminated, and they will become rich. “
Then, all of the gathered assemblies prayed deeply, saying, “May it be so!”
Then, the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror uttered the Twelve Names of Maha-Lakshmi:
Pel-Den-Ma
Pel-Tri-Ma
Pay-May-T’hreng-Wa-Chen
Nor Gyi Dag-Mo
Kar-Mo
Drag-Pa-Chhen-Mo
Pay-May-Chen
Jey-Pa-Mo
Öd-Chhen-Mo
Zay-Jin-Ma
Rin-Po-Chhè Rab-Jin-Mo
Pel-Chhen-Mo
(In English)
She Who Is Imbued with Glory
She Who Is Enveloped in Splendor
Holder of a Rosary of Lotuses
Sovereign Lady of Wealth
She Who Is White
She of Great Renown
Lotus Eye
She Who Is Efficacious
She of Great Light
She Who Gives Food
She Who Wholeheartedly Gives Precious Gems
She of Great Resplendence
(The Mantra)
SYĀDYATHEDANA/ JINI GRINI/ SARVA ARTHA SADHANI/
SHASHINA ALAGA SHIMANA/
NĀSHAYA SIDDHANATU Mantra PADAI SVĀHĀ/
OM BIGUNI BARAMASU BHAGE SVĀHĀ
If anyone recites this during the three times of the day[ii], then they will be victorious over all unpleasant circumstances. They will be endowed with excellent Fortune. They will be endowed with not knowing the exhaustion of Wealth.
Furthermore, everyone will perceive them as being like their children, will be delighted by them, and will act exactly in accordance with their bidding.
If one always reads this out-loud continuously, then even if Brahma commits wrathful actions one will be not be harmed, and will moreover come to serve under many Buddhas!”
The Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror gave that teaching, and the Bodhisattva Mahasattva, the Noble Lord Avalokiteshvara rejoiced, and deeply praised what had been spoken by the Bhagavan, the Transcendent and Accomplished Conqueror.
The Maha-Lakshmi Sutra Is Complete.
Translated by Erick Sherab Zangpo.
[i]Although some versions of this Sutra list the Sanskrit title as ‘Mahashri Sutra’, according to the Derge Kangyur version of this Sutra, the title in Sanskrit is the ‘Mahalakshmini Sutra’. Also, the goddess in this text (Pelchenmo, “She of Great Glory”) is almost definitely a Buddhist version of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, so for these two reasons I have chosen to go with ‘Maha-Lakshmi’ in this translation. This is an updated and revised version of my previous translation of the same text, entitled ‘The Mahashri Sutra’.
[ii] Morning, afternoon, and night.
